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| Our Homeowners |
Restoring Homes and Lives- Our Homeowners
At 87, She Has A Youthful Zest For Life
Georgia Harrison is as bright and cheery as her newly painted house. Having lived in her current home for 46 years, Mrs. Harrison has no plans to leave any time soon. “I will live here as long as I can,” she says of her beloved house. Recovery from open heart surgery, living alone and a restrictive income have made home improvement options limited. Mrs. Harrison was pleased to find a Paint Your Heart Out brochure at the Anaheim Senior Center. “It’s a wonderful thing,” she says of the PYHO organization.
The team from BP ARCO, captained by Mark Scollans and Patrick Foley, has participated in PYHO for five years. “We do such much business in this community, it just makes sense to give back” says team member Derek Tomita, Regional Sales Manager for BP ARCO and a PYHO Board Member. “She is just a wonderful person,” says co-captain Patrick of Mrs. Harrison. “She was very helpful, accommodating and appreciative,” says Derek.
Mrs. Harrison was just as fond of her team as they were of her. “They have been kind, polite and hard-working,” she says. The group was all smiles helping such a special person. They gladly painted, replaced light fixtures, repaired rain gutters and did some minor landscaping.
Whether it’s attending senior dances, visiting with family, enjoying homemade cookies and lemonade with her paint team or sharing stories of her past, Mrs. Harrison’s enthusiasm is contagious.
“You have to keep learning. You can’t stop learning as you go through life,” says Mrs. Harrison of her life strategy. A lesson worth remembering for us all.
Edith Halverson, 75, lives with her retired daughter, Janet. Since buying her home five years ago, Mrs. Halverson has had a wish list of household improvements. Due to financial restrictions, her home repair dreams have gone unfulfilled, until now. After working for the California State Lottery for several years, Mrs. Halverson finally got to experience for herself what it’s like to be a big winner when PYHO chose her
house for much needed painting and dry rot repair.
Elton Oliver, 81, is a widower who has lived in his home for 39 years. In earlier days, Mr. Elton tackled home improvement projects with his son, but recovery from knee replacement surgery and a limited income no longer make this an option. PYHO offered Mr. Elton a newly painted house, minor landscaping and a new garage door.
Ann Ruiz, 65, is a disabled senior who has reduced social security income after being forced into early retirement. Her home of 20 years was in desperate need of painting and dry rot repair. PYHO was there to help. “I’m truly blessed,” says Mrs. Ruiz. She is so thrilled with her PYHO experience that she’s planning a get together with friends to show off her new house and encourage others to apply for this great home improvement opportunity.
Jack Spangler, 82, a Pearl Harbor survivor, he served as a fighter pilot in WWII. Purchasing the home where he currently lives in 1955, Mr. Spangler was an architect who did many of the renovations on his home when he was younger. Still spry and busy with projects, he is currently remodeling his kitchen after a leaky roof caused damage.
Ramona Reveles, 72, has lived in her home since she was eight years old. Her Father built the home after their first one was lost in the flood of 1938. Ms. Reveles never married, but cared for her parents as they aged. Her Father passed away in 1995 at age 95.
Dianne Heaslet, 61, is disabled due to breast cancer treatments. Unable to work, she receives SDI as her only income. Her home is a hedge against future expenses and she has no other options for getting her house painted because of the cost.
Grayzna Czescik, 66, a native of Poland who came with her husband and daughter to the United States ten years ago. She cared for her ill husband and now has her daughter and two grandchildren living with her. Her daughter works at WalMart but Mrs. Czescik receives only Social Security. While her daughter helps with household expenses, the $7,000 cost of painting the home is not possible on her salary.
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